Trails of New Mexico & Texas

On arrival, make your own way to your hotel. Settle in and get acquainted with the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’. Head out in the evening to explore, enjoying a relaxed dinner and drinks while live music sets the tone for your first night. A full day to explore this eclectic city. Wander along South Congress, soaking up the laid-back atmosphere and vibrant street life. Enjoy a canoe trip along the river, where you may spot local wildlife, including turtles, then cool off with a dip in Barton Springs Pool.

Collect your motorhome and begin your adventure, making your way to Sonora, a small Hill Country town known for its scenic landscapes. You may wish to break the journey in charming Fredericksburg for lunch.

Depart Sonora along the scenic I‑90 towards Marathon - an early start is recommended for this longer drive. En route, stop at the Pecos River High Bridge Lookout or Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site for striking desert view.

Spend two nights in Big Bend National Park, where vast desert landscapes reveal a raw, untamed beauty. Drift through Santa Elena Canyon, hike the Window Trail and pause for a refined picnic overlooking the Chisos Mountains. As twilight deepens, stargaze beneath impossibly clear skies, where the Milky Way glimmers in breathtaking, undisturbed silence.

Travel from Marfa to Carlsbad via the striking landscapes of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, where dramatic peaks and rugged desert scenery make for a memorable drive.

Nestled in the Chihuahuan Desert, Carlsbad offers a relaxed atmosphere with tree-lined streets, local culture, and intriguing historic sites. Just beyond the city, descend into the immense limestone chambers of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, where towering stalactites and cathedral-sized rooms - including the renowned Big Room - create an otherworldly underground landscape.

Located in the high desert at the base of the Sacramento Mountains, Alamogordo offers a gateway to some of New Mexico’s most striking landscapes. Just 15 minutes away lies one of the world’s great natural wonders - White Sands National Park, where shimmering gypsum dunes stretch across 275 square miles of desert. Spend a full day discovering the ethereal beauty of White Sands National Park. Arrive early to witness sunrise over the glistening gypsum dunes, then stay through the day to explore the ever-shifting landscape.

Journey from Alamogordo to Albuquerque, travelling via Truth or Consequences, known for its natural hot springs, or opt for a detour to Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge, renowned for its rich birdlife and serene wetlands. This evening, sample the flavours of the Southwest in one of Old Town Albuquerque’s charming and atmospheric restaurants. Take to the nearby Sandia Mountains via the scenic tramway, one of the longest in North America, offering sweeping views across the Rio Grande Valley to the rugged peaks beyond.

Leave Albuquerque behind and head to Santa Fe, perhaps stopping en route at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument to explore its striking cone-shaped rock formations and scenic trails. Rich with four centuries of history and legend, Santa Fe sits nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and is home to more than 400 restaurants, 250 art galleries, and 19 world-class museums, all within compact, walkable streets.

Travel onwards to Roswell, perhaps detouring to Pecos National Historical Park to explore ancient ruins and scenic landscapes, or via Santa Rosa to visit the famous Blue Hole and Santa Rosa Lake State Park. Roswell is home to fascinating museums, including the Roswell Museum and Art Centre and the International UFO Museum, while its streets are dotted with playful alien murals, sculptures and themed attractions that celebrate the city’s famous extra terrestrial connections.

Drive to Lubbock, consider a stop in Brownfield for lunch or a visit to Llano Estacado Winery. Known for its musical heritage, visit the Buddy Holly Centre, dedicated to preserving the legacy of the rock ‘n’ roll pioneer. In the evening, enjoy live music and local breweries.

Continue your journey towards Abilene, taking a scenic detour via Caprock Canyons State Park. Arrive in Abilene, a welcoming Texas town known for its rich Western heritage, vibrant arts scene and emerging culinary scene.

Leave Abilene early for Austin to return your motorhome, then make your own way to the airport for your onward journey.